F45 Training Holdings, Inc. strengthened its leadership team by naming Tom Dowd as CEO and Mark Wahlberg as chief brand officer, effective immediately following the recent announcement of $90 million in new financing to improve its balance sheet and drive the business forward.
Dowd succeeds outgoing interim CEO Ben Coates, who remains on the company’s board of directors. Dowd spent 25 years at GNC Holdings in various executive leadership roles and, more recently, co-founded Performance Inspired, an active lifestyle nutrition company. Dowd was one of the early investors in F45.
“Tom has significant experience building successful franchise model and consumer goods businesses, cultivating globally resonant lifestyle brands, and developing high-performing teams, making him well suited to lead F45 into the future,” said Gene Davis, chairman of F45’s board. “We are delighted to bring Tom on board to help further refine F45’s go-forward business strategy to deliver sustainable growth, enhance opportunities for our franchisees and team, and drive long-term value for shareholders.”
F45 investor and brand ambassador Mark Wahlberg, a company board member since March 2019, was named F45’s chief brand officer, effective immediately. Wahlberg has built multiple brands across the retail and consumer goods sectors, including co-founding Wahlburgers, Municipal Apparel, and Performance Inspired, in addition to his acting career.
“Just like our incredible training community, F45 has been laser-focused in recent months on getting stronger and stronger, and I am thrilled to help the company elevate its amazing brand and vision at this pivotal time,” said Mr. Wahlberg. “I am confident in our ability to enhance what I believe is already the world’s best workout for studio operators and our more than 300,000 committed members across the globe.”
